Nov.
20, 2006 — The extent of Arctic Sea ice has experienced a steady declining
trend during the past 33 years, based on a new comprehensive analysis
of satellite data by experts at the U.S.
National Ice Center, a tri-agency team from NOAA,
the U.S. Navy, and U.S.
Coast Guard, based in Suitland, Md. (Click NOAA satellite
image for larger view of Northern Hemisphere daily snow and ice cover
analysis as of Nov. 19, 2006. Please credit “NOAA.”)

This new
climatology dataset is expected to be a more useful and accurate tool
for the research community to use than other datasets previously available.
This tool can be applied to improve seasonal and climatological sea-ice-change
forecast research in the Arctic.

The data
set, New 30-Year Arctic Sea Ice Climatology, is derived from a 1972
- 2004 chart series that provides a close representation of the sea
ice extent as derived from a combination of satellite observations,
measuring instruments on the surface and model output.

"The
new data sets show shrinkage in the Arctic Ocean summer ice cover of
more than eight percent per decade and gives us concrete information
with which to develop improved seasonal and long-term forecasts in the
future," said Pablo Clemente-Colón, the ice center's chief
scientist.

The new
data set confirms that the overall trend in summer, winter and multi-year
total ice extent is down. Both winter (maximum) and summer (minimum)
sea ice extents are decreasing, although summer shrinkage is more pronounced.
The percentage of multi-year ice in the winter is also decreasing significantly.

Since 1972,
the ice center has produced weekly, or bi-weekly operational sea-ice
charts for Antarctica, and the Arctic and other ice-covered waters.
These analyses are used primarily for mission planning and safe navigation.
They also are incorporated into weather forecasts and serve as a comprehensive
global record of sea-ice extent and concentration that can be used for
climate monitoring. The ice center is celebrating its 30th anniversary
as an interagency operational sea ice service with global monitoring
responsibilities.

In 2007
NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Commerce
Department, celebrates 200 years of science and service to the nation.
Starting with the establishment of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
in 1807 by Thomas Jefferson much of America's scientific heritage is
rooted in NOAA. The agency is dedicated to enhancing economic security
and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and
climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation,
and by providing environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal and
marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System
of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA
is working with its federal partners, more than 60 countries and the
European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as
integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.